I’ve recently left an accounting job and am set to start a new one soon that will pay about 22% more (70k to 85k) and is fully remote. While I had the usual exit interview with HR, I also had a meeting with the manager of my team and the controller (the manager’s boss) to discuss why I’m leaving “without HR’s influence”. And it was just…lol. Pointless, fruitless, unproductive, unnecessary.
This company has been hemorrhaging employees. I had this job for just about a year and saw 3 of my coworkers just on my team alone go. The controller wanted an honest conversation to figure out how to retain people in accounting. I think in her heart she knows the answer (open up ya wallet) but OK sure. Let’s talk.
Now for the record my direct boss was great and completely understanding when I gave my notice. The controller was fine as well, just stressed because you know…everyone in the accounting department is dipping. The manager, my boss’s boss, was predictably bitchy and pissed and immediately started giving me the cold shoulder, rolling her eyes when she came anywhere near me and telling my boss to tell me things instead of speaking to me directly when I’m 2 feet away. Very mature stuff. This woman is in her 40s, maybe 50s. Anyways, the first thing she said in this meeting was “So what made you decide to leave without any discussion with us?”
I could see what this meeting was about to be but since I was on my way out and didn’t give a shit anymore, I decided to match her permanently rude tone and attitude for once. I said “I didn’t discuss anything with you because I knew you would start acting like you’ve been acting lately.” I made a point to dramatically turn from her and address the controller directly and said “I am taking pretty much the same job elsewhere but for $15k more and fully remote. While the pay here would have been fine, the workload led to me actually being underpaid.”
The controller was going to say something but the manager cut her off and said “and you think you’re worth that much?” I couldn’t help but smirk at how salty she was. I just replied back “I mean…it would seem so right? That’s how much this new place is paying me.” What a rude ass thing to say.
The controller then said “Well we can’t pay your position that much.” I just said “Yes I know. That’s probably why you keep having to replace my position. You call me a staff accountant but my workload is just as much as the senior accountants…that you pay 85k+. You either need to pay more or give your staff accountants a workload actually typical of a staff accountant at other companies.”
The manager goes “Well if you’re ever at our level and making actual decisions for a company, you’ll understand how unrealistic and unfair you’re being. If you think like that, you’ll always feel underpaid and entitled to more.” I just said “Ok Michelle. And I didn’t feel underpaid. I was underpaid. As evidenced by the raise.” (Name changed again). I think the controller had more to ask but realized things were tense and ended it. I walked out of the controller’s office and neither spoke to me again the rest of my time at the company.
So I learned recognizing you’re underpaid and seeking opportunities to make more money is “unrealistic and unfair” behavior. God I’m such an asshole. It’s gonna make it hard to enjoy my $15k raise. It really is. Please don’t let any company make you feel you’re not justified in seeking a better situation for yourself. It’s always justified.
Also enjoy reading my feedback to HR, Michelle. I dragged the fuck out of you.